Archives for August 12, 2018

‘”Our pass protection wasn’t what we wanted it to be to help him out, because obviously with a rookie, you’re trying to let him settle in and feel comfortable,” center Adam Redmond said. “But I didn’t feel like we were playing with a rookie or a guy who needed any help. He was in there pretty much commanding the huddle. You saw some of those really nice scrambles, a lot of poise in the pocket, and kind of letting things settle down and making some nice throws downfield or getting first downs with his legs. I think he really did a great job.”‘

‘Creativity. The Bills use a dizzying array of substitutions and pre-snap motion. According to charting done by The News’ Mark Gaughan on Thursday night, Daboll used pre-snap motion on nine of their first 12 plays. The offense is centered around trying to find mismatches, and then exploiting those. Another change is the use of the middle of the field. That was not a strength of former starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor, but it looks like it will be a big part of this year’s offense. One other difference is the amount of quick passes, whether those be throws in the flat to running backs or bubble screens to receivers. That’s long been a staple of the New England passing attack, which Daboll of course knows well. It’s only one game, and it’s only the preseason, but there were reasons to be encouraged about what the offense showed Thursday.’

‘“I think it speaks volumes that Coach McDermott brought her back for a second opportunity,” Rapoport said. “That certainly speaks to how she performed last year at training camp and the path he sees for her. He speaks very highly of her and believes that she has the talent and what it takes to make it as an NFL coach.”’

‘“(At) halftime we were about 256 yards (total offense, 257 specifically),” McDermott said. “Those are some pretty big numbers. That’s a start. You want points and there was a turnover in there. That’s kind of the game within the game that we try and teach, (the idea that) we go in the locker room at 20 (points) potentially if we pick up at least a field goal (on the drive) where we had the turnover, maybe 24 if we pick up seven.”‘

‘”I always kind of have that chip on my shoulder and that fire lit,” Reilly said. “It’s kind of an always, everyday kind of thing for me. It adds competition to the room, and I feel like that’s when I play at my best.”‘

‘Short-term, the deals seemed to work out for all three teams involved. Long-term, the Bills have a chance to be the big winner in the trades. Here’s a look back at the deals, how the players fared following the trade, where the players are now and what the draft picks the Bills received turned into in the draft.’

‘McCarron also was asked where his three BCS national-championship rings were from Alabama’s titles for the 2009, 2011 and 2012 seasons. McCarron said he’d given them to his grandfather, father and uncle.’

‘”I’ve said if I ever had the opportunity to give back to kids being a professional athlete, I would jump on it in a heartbeat,” Jackson said. “I know what it meant to me. To be able to give back and do that also, it’s something that I will always do given the opportunity.”‘

‘“To be able to use my platform to pull those strings to get him in there and get him a job was awesome,” said McCarron. “One of my favorite memories for sure in college. It’s something I’ll never forget.”’